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Liberty’s Downtown. A Path Forward?. So this is a Long Standing Problem. Lack of vision 50 year decisions Aging infrastructure Budgetary constraints Lack of administration day-to-day Part time attention Piecemeal solutions. Downtown Vacancies. Picture Taken Today.
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Liberty’s Downtown A Path Forward?
So this is a Long Standing Problem • Lack of vision • 50 year decisions • Aging infrastructure • Budgetary constraints • Lack of administration day-to-day • Part time attention • Piecemeal solutions
Our Strengths and Opportunties • Concerned citizens / businesspeople • Members of council ready for action • Layout of town is unique • Central location of town within county • Change of administration creates new energy • Upcoming election • Untapped funding source
HTAX /ATAX Funds • #022-000 Hospitality Tax $71,426.67 • #023-000 Hospitality Tax Grant $41,720.59 • #003-000 Accommodations Tax $ 3,537.95 Proposal would not spend any of these funds
#022-000 Hospitality Tax • 80% of the future revenues from this one fund • 20% remain for city’s use • Would fund a bond over $500,000.00 • Pay for a basic downtown streetscaping immediately • Not a piecemeal solution – a comprehensive one • Make downtown attractive and conducive to business • Increase our tax base • Actually would PRODUCE NEW tax revenue without spending any new taxpayer money
Current uses of this fund • Liberty Idol sponsorship $10,000 per year • Liberty Idol prize money $6,000 per year • Liberty Idol to pay Costner Productions (SWP acct) • Liberty Idol equipment, storage and lighting • Liberty Idol Security and portajohns • Scoreboard for ball field • Gazebos almost $40,000.00 in the last three years • Pedestrian Park (good, but piecemeal improvement) • Miscellaneous (which is scary)
Only part of the puzzle, however • Continue grant applications • Seek citizen input • Coordinate with Duke Power, AT&T, Northland Cable • Educate local businesses • Utilize CDBG funding if possible • Utilize annual County paving stipend • Utilize MASC Main Street program • Department of Commerce $6,000.00 grants • ACOG expertise • County resources
Downtown’s Condition is OUR choice We have the resources RIGHT NOW to fix the problem, but we have to decide to do it.
Thank You Q&A?